Apple TV, when it keeps stuttering and interrupting your TV shows, it is an annoyance.
In this guide, we look at what causes Apple TV stuttering and how you can fix it by taking some simple steps.
Why does Apple TV keep Stuttering?
The main cause of Apple TV Stuttering is likely caused by an inefficient connection or a software issue.
When your internet bandwidth is not optimized, stuttering will often occur when playing content.
There are several ways that you can increase your ability to reduce stuttering when viewing the Apple TV app.
Here are some tips on how to make stop Apple TV from Stuttering:
- Check the Server Status of Apple TV
- Restart the Apple TV app
- Sign out of the Apple TV app
- Soft Reset your Source Device
- Reset your Router
- Update Apple TV and your source device
- Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
- Decrease Video Playback Quality
- Close any other apps that are running
- Use an Ethernet cable rather than a Wi-Fi
- Upgrade your Internet Connection
- Disable VPNs or Ad blockers
- Upgrade your Router
- Contact the Apple TV app Support
Scroll down to follow a more detailed guide on how to work through these steps and stop the Apple TV app from Stuttering.
How to stop the Apple TV app from Stuttering
Method 1: Check to make sure Apple TV servers are operational
When Apple TV keeps buffering, the vast majority of the issues will usually be with your network or playback device.
Before you go into the other fixes that are listed below, it is worthwhile checking that there are no issues or outages with the Apple TV platform.
Method 2: Restart the Apple TV app
It is a good idea to restart the Apple TV app if you are experiencing Stuttering issues.
By restarting the Apple TV app, you give the opportunity for any updates to be correctly installed and establish a new connection with the Apple TV servers.
Method 3: Sign out of the Apple TV app
Another potential quick fix to the Apple TV Stuttering problem is to sign out of your account.
This will ensure that no account-related issues are contributing to playback stuttering.
Method 4: Restart your Playback Source Device
To access the Apple TV app, you will be using a playback device to access the app.
The most common playback devices for the Apple TV app are:
- Smart TVs
- Content Devices such as Apple TV, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
To eliminate the Apple TV app stuttering issues, perform a power cycle of these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, simply unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates that have been downloaded in the background to successfully install and start, and it also clears the system cache.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help in reducing the Stuttering of the Apple TV app.
By reducing the number of apps running in the background, you give the Apple TV app the best performance.
Method 5: Reset your Router
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it is definitely effective in reducing the Stuttering on the Apple TV app.
How do I reset my router?
The easiest way to reset your router is to simply unplug it from the wall socket for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
This action will “power-cycle” your router and provide more bandwidth to increase your ability to play content faster on the Apple TV app.
Why does resetting your router reduce the Apple TV app Stuttering?
Think of all the devices that are and have been connected to the router. I’m sure that in today’s digital world that quite a few devices are connected to the router.
Your router is like a mini-PC and will slow down as more tasks are added.
Having all of those devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the Apple TV app and subsequently throttle your download speed, which in turn creates Stuttering.
Method 6: Update your Apple TV app
If you are playing Apple TV using a device such as a Firestick, Roku or smart TV then I would recommend that you update the app if possible.
Method 7: Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
If you cannot reset your router for any reason, I would try and disconnect none essential devices from the internet.
Is someone in your home watching Netflix? What about your phone? Is someone downloading games or apps on XBOX?
Every device that you can disconnect from your internet connection will help in stopping the Apple TV app Stuttering issues.
Method 8: Close any apps that are running
If you have followed our first step of restarting your playback device, then this step would have been completed for you, otherwise please continue to close any running apps.
How does having open apps cause the Apple TV app to Stutter?
Imagine your internet connection to your Apple TV application like an artery in your body. The more games and apps that are running are like blockages in your arteries, sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to play content faster, and then that results in Stuttering occurring when watching the Apple TV app.
Method 9: Decrease Video Quality
Check in the Apple TV app options when watching content if there is a toggle for video quality.
The higher the quality of content that you play, the more likely it is that Stuttering will occur.
Try and decrease the video quality, especially if you have the quality set to 4K.
Method 10: Update your device software/firmware before downloading
Whether you are using a TV, Content Device, or Games console, updating your firmware or software to the latest version can help in preventing issues from arising over time.
Sometimes updates can be missed, or an installation can be interrupted and cause issues with your playback device.
Old firmware or a partial firmware installation could cause the Apple TV app to Stutter.
Ensuring that you have the latest software on your devices also gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
Method 11: Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
It is almost always true that when you use an Ethernet (Wired Connection) rather than Wi-Fi, you will get a better download speed.
Wired connections transmit data quicker and with less interference. There are also fewer variables that can hinder the quality of connection.
Wi-Fi connections are slower and generally have a slower response time.
The distance from your playback device along with the walls, floor, and ceilings can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the Apple TV app Stuttering issues.
I always use a wired connection when it is available, and you should too!
Method 12: Disable any Ad blockers or VPNs
VPNs and Ad blockers can negatively affect the playback performance of the Apple TV app.
Your connection to a VPN will always limit the speed at which you can play content.
We understand that using a VPN can be a sensible choice, especially due to privacy concerns.
Unfortunately, by using a VPN, you are creating another dependency that can cause Apple TV to Stutter if there are any problems or limited speed.
Method 13: Upgrade your Internet Connection
Not everyone has access to high download speed through their ISP (Internet Service Provider), but for those that do, consider upgrading your internet connection.
It is pretty straightforward that a 100mbps connection will have a slower download rate than a 1gbps connection.
Method 14: Upgrade your Router
This option will not apply to everyone, but for some gamers, the router could be the bottleneck in their home network, causing the Apple TV app Stuttering problems.
If you have consistently upgraded your internet speed through your ISP but are still using an older router, you may wish to check what the maximum download speed of your router is.
It’s all good having a 1gbps connection, but if your router can only download at 100mbps, then you’ve got yourself a massive bottleneck and a solid explanation as to why the Apple TV app is Stuttering.
Method 15: Contact Apple TV Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, then you can contact Apple TV app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, then you would have been successful in reducing the Stuttering of the Apple TV app on your content device.
We hope that you enjoy Stutter-free playback.